Barley’s Return to Running Log 7/11-7/17

I feel like I was able to shift gears this week, which was honestly much needed for my mental state. The last few weeks I wanted to get back into training but didn’t quite have the level of motivation or will power to make it happen. So my goal this week was to really go for it and get back to consistency. I know that I personally respond better to consistency and not necessarily just a little at a time. So it’s a balancing act of making sure I’m not doing too much too soon- but also pushing myself just enough to encourage my muscles to start firing properly again. My work schedule was quite a bit lighter than last week, which really helped me out making the time to do things- next week looks good too. Hopefully these few weeks can really help me kickstart training again.

I also have gone back into my running ahead logs from 2012 to look at the comeback after I broke my foot (car accident). The timing is actually pretty similar, returning to running around June. I didn’t look back to mimic it, but more to see what I was or wasn’t doing- it wasn’t pretty and certainly will be better off this time around (especially because I’m not coming back from injury this time). But it did give me confidence that I can get to where I want to be, and also reminded me that strength training was HUGE in helping me come back faster and stronger (time wise, and running wise). So, I am definitely using that as motivation and fuel this time around– learn from past training cycles.

Being home a little more this week (less work) also gave me a good opportunity to look at what I was eating. I do a “self analysis” of my diet a few times a year to see where I’m at (I am not someone who could or would want to log my food every day). Things I noticed this week: I should probably stop eating a case of flavor ice freeze pops a week. No, but seriously I eat like 10 of them in a sitting. Biggest thing I did and need to continue though is packing my lunches and snacks for work so I’m not skipping a meal or going out and spending money on something that probably shouldn’t be eating.

Last thing of note really is that I went to a new chiropractor this week. He found some adhesions around my hips and adductors that we need to work on, and are limiting my range of motion. I also have had lordosis for years now (inward curve of lower back) that has gotten to the point it really needs to be addressed. So, over the coming weeks we are going to be working on those things in order to get me back to feeling 100% and also stay healthy on my return to running.

Monday: 6 miles in the afternoon, later in the evening I went to the gym for 20 minutes strength work (10 minute elliptical WU) finished the day with 6 minute yoga routine before bed.

Tuesday: Started the day with a little under 6 miles (2 miles warm-up, then 20 x {30 seconds on, 90 seconds recovery), cool down) in the humid morning.

Wednesday: After work I hit up the gym for some cross training/strength work. 15 minute warm-up on elliptical, 25 minutes of strength training, 15 minutes cool down on the elliptical.

Thursday: 4 treadmill miles after work, I was planning on core work too but I was starving so opted to go home and get a snack/shower before our evening plans. LIFE.

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A new mom and Upstate, NY resident who loves the marathon, a good beer, and all of the numbers/nerdy things. I write about my journey to a sub-3:00 marathon, training tweaks for improvement, and finding that "running/life balance" unicorn. On tap Next: Maneuvering through motherhood and postpartum running!